High throughput methods for sampling seeds

ABSTRACT

A high-throughput method is provided for analyzing individual seeds in a population of seeds. The method generally includes removing a tissue sample from at least one or more seeds in the population of seeds while preserving germination viability of the at least one or more seeds from which the tissue sample is taken, depositing the tissue sample into an individual compartment of a sample tray, contacting the tissue sample with an extraction buffer to remove DNA from the sample, and analyzing the extracted DNA for the presence or absence of a transgene of interest. The extraction buffer may be present in the individual compartment of the sample tray before the tissue sample is deposited into the individual compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/023,768, filed Jan. 25, 2008. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/680,611, filed Feb. 28, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/778,828, filed on Mar. 2, 2006, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,435, filed on Aug. 25, 2005, claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/604,604, filed on Aug. 26, 2004 and U.S. Provisional No. 60/691,100, filed on Jun. 15, 2005. The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/680,611, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,435, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/023,768, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/778,828, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/604,604, and U.S. Provisional No. 60/691,100 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of plant breeding. More specifically, this disclosure provides methods for augmenting and economizing germplasm improvement activities using high throughput and nondestructive seed sampling techniques.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

In plant development and improvement, genetic improvements are made in the plant, either through selective breeding or genetic manipulation, and when a desirable improvement is achieved, a commercial quantity is developed by planting and harvesting seeds over several generations. To speed up the process of plant improvement, statistical samples are taken and tested to advance seeds from the population that have inherited or exhibit the desired trait. However this statistical sampling necessarily allows some seeds without the desirable trait to remain in the population, and also can inadvertently exclude some seeds with the desirable trait from the desired population. Not all seeds inherit or exhibit the desired traits, and thus these seeds still need to be culled from the population.

Apparatus and methods for the high-throughput, non-destructive sampling of seeds have been described which would overcome the obstacles of statistical samples by allowing for individual seed analysis. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,430 (filed Aug. 26, 2005); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,431 (filed Aug. 26, 2005); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,432 (filed Aug. 26, 2005); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,434 (filed Aug. 26, 2005); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,435 (filed Aug. 26, 2005); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/680,180 (filed Feb. 28, 2007), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, disclose apparatus and systems for the automated sampling of seeds as well as methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds.

The present disclosure addresses needs in the art for improved breeding methods using high-throughput, non-destructive seed sampling systems.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present disclosure relates generally to high-throughput methods for analyzing individual seeds in populations of seeds. In one example embodiment, a method generally includes removing a tissue sample from at least one or more seeds in a population of seeds while preserving germination viability of the at least one or more seeds from which the tissue sample is removed, depositing the tissue sample into an individual compartment of a sample tray, contacting the tissue sample with an extraction buffer to remove DNA from the tissue sample, and analyzing the extracted DNA for the presence or absence of a transgene of interest.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an allelogram depicting maize endosperm tissue samples that have undergone PCR for detection of a particular SNP as described in Example 3.

FIG. 2 is a graphical illustration of the efficacy of pre-selection on driving the frequency of favorable haplotypes as described in Example 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

The present disclosure provides for novel methods to facilitate germplasm improvement activities through the use of high throughput, nondestructive sampling of seeds. The methods are useful in analyzing seeds in order to identify and select seeds comprising one or more desired traits, markers, and/or genotypes. In one aspect of the disclosure, the analytical methods allow individual seeds that are present in a batch or a bulk population of seeds to be analyzed such that the chemical and/or genetic characteristics of the individual seeds can be determined.

Samples prepared by the present disclosure can be used for determining a wide variety of physical, morphological, chemical and/or genetic traits. Generally, such traits are determined by analyzing the samples for one or more characteristics indicative of at least one genetic or chemical trait. Non-limiting examples of characteristics indicative of chemical traits include, for example, proteins, oils, carbohydrates, fatty acids, amino acids, biopolymers, pharmaceuticals, starch, fermentable starch, secondary compounds, metabolites, etc. Accordingly, non-limiting examples of chemical traits include, for example, amino acid content, protein content, starch content, fermentation yield, fermentation efficiency, energy yield, oil content, determination of protein profiles determination of fatty acid profiles, determination of metabolite profiles, etc.

Non-limiting examples of characteristics indicative of genetic traits may include, for example, genetic markers, single nucleotide polymorphisms, simple sequence repeats, restriction fragment length polymorphisms, haplotypes, tag SNPs, alleles of genetic markers, genes, DNA-derived sequences, RNA-derived sequences, promoters, 5′ untranslated regions of genes, 3′ untranslated regions of genes, microRNA, siRNA, quantitative trait loci (QTL), satellite markers, transgenes, mRNA, ds mRNA, transcriptional profiles, methylation patterns, etc.

In one embodiment, the sampling of endosperm tissue enables the determination of allele frequencies, whereby it is possible to infer parental linkage phase for a particular marker. Further, comparison of allele frequency data between two or more germplasm pools provides insight into the targets of selection, whereby alleles increasing in frequency in conjunction with a shift in distribution of one or more traits are presumed to be linked to said trait or traits of interest. Also, evaluation of relative allele frequency data between lines can contribute to the construction of genetic linkage maps.

In another embodiment, the methods of the present disclosure use high throughput, nondestructive seed sampling with doubled haploid technologies to contribute to germplasm improvement activities including, for example, economization of doubled haploid programs by selecting only preferred seed for doubling, high throughput analysis of haploid and doubled haploid material for both genotypic and chemical characteristics, trait integration and evaluation, marker-assisted breeding, etc.

The methods and devices of the present disclosure can be used in a breeding program to select plants or seeds having a desired genetic and/or chemical trait, wherein a desired genetic trait comprises, for example, at least one or more of a genotype, a haplotype, an allele, a sequence, a transgene, a transcript profile, a methylation pattern, etc. The methods of the present disclosure can be used in combination with any breeding methodology and can be used to select a single generation or to select multiple generations. The choice of breeding method depends on the mode of plant reproduction, the heritability of the trait(s) being improved, and/or the type of cultivar used commercially (e.g., F₁ hybrid cultivar, pureline cultivar, etc). Selected, non-limiting approaches for breeding the plants of the present disclosure are set forth below. It is further understood that any commercial and non-commercial cultivars can be utilized in a breeding program. Factors including, for example, without limitation, emergence vigor, vegetative vigor, stress tolerance, disease resistance, branching, flowering, seed set, seed size, seed density, standability, threshability, etc. will generally dictate the choice.

In a particular embodiment, the methods of the present disclosure are used to determine the genetic characteristics of seeds in a marker-assisted breeding program. Such methods allow for improved marker-assisted breeding programs wherein nondestructive direct seed sampling can be conducted while maintaining the identity of individual seeds from the seed sampler to the field. As a result, the marker-assisted breeding program results in a “high-throughput” and more efficient platform wherein a population of seeds having a desired trait, marker or genotype can be more effectively bulked in a shorter period of time, with less field and labor resources required. Such advantages will be more fully described below.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for analyzing individual seeds within a population of seeds having genetic differences. The method comprises removing a sample comprising cells with nucleic acids from seeds in the population without affecting the germination viability of the seeds; analyzing the nucleic acids extracted from the sample for the presence or absence of at least one genetic marker; selecting seeds from the population based upon the results of the nucleic acid analysis; and cultivating plants from the selected seed.

As described above, the sampling systems and methods of this disclosure protect germination viability of the seeds so as to be non-destructive. Germination viability means that a predominant number of sampled seeds, (i.e., greater than about 50% of all sampled seeds) remain viable after sampling. In a particular embodiment, at least about 75% of sampled seeds, and in some embodiments at least about 85% of sampled seeds remain viable. It should be noted that lower rates of germination viability may be tolerable under certain circumstances or for certain applications, for example, as genotyping costs decrease with time because a greater number of seeds could be sampled for the same genotype cost. It should also be noted that sampling does not need to have any effect on viability at all.

In another embodiment, germination viability is maintained for at least about six months after sampling to ensure that the sampled seed will be viable until it reaches the field for planting. In a particular embodiment, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise treating the sampled seeds to maintain germination viability. Such treatment may generally include any means known in the art for protecting a seed from environmental conditions while in storage or transport. For example, in one embodiment, the sampled seeds may be treated with a polymer and/or a fungicide to protect the sampled seed while in storage or in transport to the field before planting.

In one embodiment, the samples of the present disclosure are used in a high-throughput, non-destructive method for analyzing individual seeds in a population of seeds. For example, the method comprises removing a sample from a seed while preserving the germination viability of the seed; and analyzing the sample for the presence or absence of one or more characteristics indicative of a genetic or chemical trait. The method may further comprise selecting seeds from the population based on the results of the analysis; and cultivating plants or plant tissue from the selected seed.

DNA may be extracted from the sample using any DNA extraction methods known to those of skill in the art which will provide sufficient DNA yield, DNA quality, PCR response, sequencing methods response, etc. A non-limiting example of suitable DNA-extraction methods is SDS-based extraction with centrifugation. In addition, the extracted DNA may be amplified after extraction using any amplification method known to those skilled in the art. For example, one suitable amplification method is the GenomiPhi® DNA amplification prep from Amersham Biosciences.

Further, RNA may be extracted from the sample using any RNA extraction methods known to those of skill in the art which will provide sufficient RNA yield, RNA quality, PCR response, sequencing methods response, etc. A non-limiting example of suitable RNA-extraction methods is SDS-based extraction with centrifugation with consideration for RNase-free reagents and supplies. In addition, the extracted RNA may be amplified after extraction using any amplification method known to those skilled in the art. For example, one suitable amplification method is the Full Spectrum™ RNA Amplification from System Biosciences.

The extracted nucleic acids are analyzed for the presence or absence of a suitable genetic polymorphism. A wide variety of genetic markers for the analysis of genetic polymorphisms are available and known to those of skill in the art. As used herein, genetic markers include, but are not limited to, simple sequence repeats (SSRs), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions or deletions (Indels), single feature polymorphisms (SFPs, for example, as described in Borevitz et al. 2003 Gen. Res. 13:513-523) or transcriptional profiles, nucleic acid sequences, etc. A nucleic acid analysis for the presence or absence of the genetic marker can be used for the selection of seeds in a breeding population. The analysis may be used to select for genes, QTL, alleles, genomic regions (haplotypes) that comprise or are linked to a genetic marker, etc. Herein, analysis methods are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, PCR-based detection methods (for example, TaqMan assays), microarray methods, nucleic acid sequencing methods, etc. The genes, alleles, QTL, and/or haplotypes to be selected for can be identified using newer techniques of molecular biology with modifications of classical breeding strategies.

In one embodiment, the method of the present disclosure generally comprises sampling transgenic seeds to test for the presence or absence of a transgene or the zygosity of a transgene (number of transgenes) in a population of seeds in a high throughput manner. The method generally comprises automatically removing a tissue sample from at least one or more seeds in a population of seeds using an automated seed sampler system, for example, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,435 (Publication No. US2006/004624), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The tissue sample can be removed from the at least one or more seeds such that germination viability of the at least one or more seeds is generally preserved. The automated sampler system places each tissue sample from the at least one or more seeds into individual compartments of a multi-compartment sample tray, for example, such as a 384-well microplate known to those of skill in the art, etc. Once each tissue sample has been taken from the at least one or more individual seeds, at least one or more of DNA, RNA, carbohydrate, oil, and protein can be extracted (e.g., using extraction buffers, etc.) from the sample in the sample tray using standard methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, when testing for the presence or absence of a transgene of interest, DNA is extracted from each tissue sample.

In a preferred embodiment, the automated seed sampler system is operable to deposit removed tissue samples into individual compartments of the sample tray wherein extraction buffer is already present within the sample tray compartments. Thus, the deposited tissue sample is deposited directly into the extraction buffer within the sample compartment. Depositing the tissue samples directly into the extraction buffer may be advantageous wherein the samples are stored before being assayed such that upon testing, the samples are already in extraction buffer solution. Further, depositing the tissue samples directly into the extraction buffer may allow for more complete capture of the tissue sample, etc.

The handling of sample trays and extraction of DNA from samples may further be accomplished in a high throughput manner by utilizing robotic arms on a freely configurable work table including incubators, shakers, centrifuges, etc. in addition to standard lab equipment. Various liquid handling tools equipped with one or more pipetting tips are used for liquid transfer. The automated components of the work table, robotic arms, the liquid handling tools, etc. are controlled by software via a computer. The automation provides cost savings on material, labor, and time and improved consistency of DNA yield and accuracy of the assay. The seeds can be tested for a gene of interest, e.g., a transgene for a trait and selected for further product development quickly. The method also eliminates the need to grow out plants from seeds in green houses and/or field plots for testing thereby further reducing the cost of product development.

The high throughput manner of the example methods of the present disclosure allows for multiple seeds to be analyzed in relatively short periods of time.

Any seed can be utilized in a method or device of the present disclosure. In a particular embodiment, the seed is selected from the group consisting of alfalfa seed, apple seed, banana seed, barley seed, bean seed, broccoli seed, cabbage seed, carrot seed, cauliflower seed, celery seed, castor bean seed, citrus seed, clover seed, coconut seed, coffee seed, maize seed, cotton seed, cucumber seed, Douglas fir seed, eggplant seed, Eucalyptus seed, Loblolly pine seed, linseed seed, lettuce seed, melon seed, millet seed, oat seed, olive seed, palm seed, pea seed, peanut seed, pepper seed, poplar seed, pumpkin seed, Radiata pine seed, radish seed, rapeseed seed, rice seed, rye seed, spinach seed, sorghum seed, Southern pine seed, soybean seed, squash seed, strawberry seed, sugarbeet seed, sugarcane seed, sunflower seed, sweetgum seed, switchgrass seed, tea seed, tobacco seed, tomato seed, triticale seed, turf seed, watermelon seed, wheat seed, and Arabidopsis thaliana seed. In a more particular embodiment, the seed is selected from the group consisting of cotton seed, cucumber seed, maize seed, melon seed, soybean seed, rapeseed seed, rice seed and wheat seed. In an even more particular embodiment, the seed is a maize seed or a soybean seed.

In another embodiment, crops analyzed by the methods described herein include forage crops, oilseed crops, grain crops, fruit crops, ornamental plants, vegetable crops, fiber crops, spice crops, nut crops, turf crops, sugar crops, beverage crops, tuber crops, root crops, forest crops, etc.

In one embodiment, the seed is selected based on the presence or absence of one or more characteristics that are genetically linked with a trait or QTL. Examples of traits or QTLs which are often of interest include but are not limited to herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, insect or pest resistance, altered fatty acid, protein or carbohydrate metabolism, increased grain yield, increased oil, increased nutritional content, increased growth rates, enhanced stress tolerance, preferred maturity, enhanced organoleptic properties, altered morphological characteristics, other agronomic traits, traits for industrial uses, or traits for improved consumer appeal, or a combination of traits as a multiple trait index. Alternatively, the seed can be selected based on the presence or absence of one or more characteristics that are genetically linked with a haplotype associated with a trait or QTL. Examples of such trait or QTL may again include without limitation herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, insect or pest resistance, altered fatty acid, protein or carbohydrate metabolism, increased grain yield, increased oil, increased nutritional content, increased growth rates, enhanced stress tolerance, preferred maturity, enhanced organoleptic properties, altered morphological characteristics, other agronomic traits, traits for industrial uses, or traits for improved consumer appeal, or a combination of traits as a multiple trait index, etc.

Selection of a breeding population could be initiated as early as the F₂ breeding level, if homozygous inbred parents are used in the initial breeding cross. An F₁ generation could also be sampled and advanced if one or more of the parents of the cross are heterozygous for the alleles or markers of interest. The breeder may analyze an F₂ population to retrieve the marker genotype of every individual in the population. Initial population sizes, limited only by the number of available seeds for analysis, can be adjusted to meet the desired probability of successfully identifying the desired number of individuals. See Sedcole, J. R. (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). “Number of plants necessary to recover a trait.” Crop Sci. 17:667-68 (1977) (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). Accordingly, the probability of finding the desired genotype, the initial population size, and the targeted resulting population size can be modified for various breeding methodologies and inbreeding level of the sampled population.

The selected seeds may be bulked or kept separate depending on the breeding methodology and target. For example, when a breeder is analyzing an F₂ population for disease resistance, all individuals with the desired genotype may be bulked and planted in the breeding nursery. Conversely, if multiple QTL with varying effects for a trait such as grain yield are being selected from a given population, the breeder may keep individual identity preserved, going to the field to differentiate individuals with various combinations of the target QTL.

Several methods of preserving single seed identity can be used while transferring seed from the sampling location to the field. Methods include, but are not limited to, transferring selected individuals to seed tape, a cassette tray, or indexing tray, transplanting with peat pots, and hand-planting from individual seed packets.

Multiple cycles of selection can be utilized depending on breeding targets and genetic complexity.

Advantages of using the methods of this disclosure include, without limitation, reduction of labor and field resources required per population or breeding line, increased capacity to evaluate a larger number of breeding populations per field unit, and increased capacity to analyze breeding populations for desired traits prior to planting. Field resources per population are reduced by limiting the field space required to advance the desired genotypes. For example, a population of 1,000 individuals may be planted at 25 seeds per row consuming a total of 40 rows in the field. Using conventional tissue sampling, all 1,000 plants would be tagged and manually sampled by scoring leaf tissue. Molecular marker results would be needed prior to pollination and only those plants containing the desired genetic composition would be pollinated. Thus, if it was determined that 50 seeds contained the desired genetic composition, conventional breeding methodology would have required the planting of 1000 plants to retain the desired 50 seeds. By contrast, the methods of this disclosure allow the breeder to analyze the 1,000 seeds in the lab and select the 50 desired seeds prior to planting. The 50 individuals can then be planted in the field, consuming only two 25 seed rows. Additionally, the methods of this disclosure do not require tagging or sampling in the field, thereby significantly reducing the required manual labor resources.

In addition to reducing the number of field rows per population, the methods of this disclosure may further increase the number of populations the breeder can evaluate in a given breeding nursery. Using the above example wherein 50 seeds out of each population of 1000 seeds contained the desired genetic composition, a breeder applying the methods of this disclosure could evaluate 20 populations of 50 seeds each using the same field area consumed by a single population using conventional field tissue sampling techniques. Even if the populations are selected for a single allele, using a 1:2:1 expected segregation ratio for an F₂ population, the breeder could evaluate 4 populations in the same field area as a single field tissue sampled population.

A potential further advantage to the methods of the present disclosure is the mitigation of risks associated with growing plants in certain geographies where plants may grow poorly or experience poor environmental conditions, or may even be destroyed during storms. For example, seeds with the “best” genotype or marker composition could be planted in geography 1 and seeds with the “next best” genotype could be planted in geography 2. In this case geography 2 would be a backup in case any problem befell the plants grown in geography 1. This is very difficult to do with the traditional method of taking tissue samples from germinated plants for genotyping, because these plants would then need to be uprooted and transplanted to the second geography. Using the methods of this disclosure avoids the problem of transplantation and also simplifies the logistics of the breeding program.

The methods of the disclosure may further be used in a breeding program for introgressing a trait into a plant. Such methods comprise removing a sample comprising cells with nucleic acids from seeds in a population, analyzing the nucleic acids extracted from each seed for the presence or absence of at least one genetic marker, selecting seeds from the population based upon the results of the nucleic acids analysis; cultivating a fertile plant from the seed; and utilizing the fertile plant as either a female parent or male parent in a cross with another plant.

Examples of genetic analyses to select seeds for trait integration include, without limitation, identification of high recurrent parent allele frequencies, tracking of transgenes of interest or screening for the absence of unwanted transgenes, selection of hybrid testing seed, selection of seed expressing a gene of interest, selection of seed expressing a heritable phenotype, identification of seed with selected genetic loci, and zygosity testing.

The identification of high recurrent pair allele frequencies via the methods of the present disclosure again allows for a reduced number of rows per population and an increased number of populations, or inbred lines, to be planted in a given field unit. Thus, the methods of the present disclosure may also effectively reduce the resources required to complete the conversion of inbred lines.

The methods of the present disclosure further provide quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) by assuring that regulated or unwanted transgenes, undesirable genetic traits, or undesirable inherited phenotypes are identified and discarded prior to planting. This application in a QA capacity could effectively eliminate unintentional release infractions. A further extension of the method is to screen for the presence of infectious agents and remove contaminated seed prior to shipping.

The methods of the present disclosure may be further applied to identify hybrid seed for transgene testing. For example, in a conversion of an inbred line at the BCnF₁ stage, a breeder could effectively create a hybrid seed lot (barring gamete selection) that was 50% hemizygous for the trait of interest and 50% homozygous for the lack of the trait in order to generate hybrid seed for testing. The breeder could then analyze all F₁ seeds produced in the test cross and identify and select those seeds that were hemizygous. Such method is advantageous in that inferences from the hybrid trials would represent commercial hybrid genetics with regard to trait zygosity.

Other applications of the methods of this disclosure for identifying, tracking, and stacking traits of interest carry the same advantages identified above with respect to required field and labor resources. Generally, transgenic conversion programs are executed in multi-season locations which carry a much higher land and management cost structure. As such, the impact of either reducing the row needs per population or increasing the number of populations within a given field unit are significantly more dramatic on a cost basis versus temperate applications.

The methods of this disclosure may be used for seeds from plants with two or more transgenes, wherein accumulating or stacking of transgenic regions into plants or lines is achieved by addition of transgenes by transformation, or by crossing parent plants or lines containing different transgenic regions, or any combination of these. Analyses can be conducted to select individual seeds on the basis of the presence of one or more characteristics associated with at least one transgene. Such characteristics include, but are not limited to, a transgene per se, a genetic marker linked to a transgene, mRNA expressed from a transgene, and a protein product of a transgene.

Still further, the methods of this disclosure may be used to improve the efficiency of the doubled haploid program through selection of desired genotypes at the haploid stage and identification of ploidy level to eliminate non-haploid seeds from being processed and advancing to the field. Both applications again result in the reduction of field resources per population and the capability to evaluate a larger number of populations within a given field unit.

Doubled haploid (DH) plants provide an invaluable tool to plant breeders, particularly for generating inbred lines. A great deal of time is spared as homozygous lines are essentially instantly generated, negating the need for multigenerational conventional inbreeding.

In particular, because DH plants are entirely homozygous, they are very amenable to quantitative genetics studies. Both additive variance and additive×additive genetic variances can be estimated from DH populations. Other applications include identification of epistasis and linkage effects. For breeders, DH populations have been particularly useful in QTL mapping, cytoplasmic conversions, and trait introgression. Moreover, there is value in testing and evaluating homozygous lines for plant breeding programs. All of the genetic variance is among progeny in a breeding cross, which improves selection gain.

However, it is well known in the art that DH production process is inefficient and can be quite labor-intensive. While doubled haploid plants can occur spontaneously in nature, this is extremely rare. Most research and breeding applications rely on artificial methods of DH production. The initial step involves the haploidization of the plant which results in the production of a population comprising haploid seed. Non-homozygous lines are crossed with an inducer parent, resulting in the production of haploid seed. Seed that has a haploid embryo, but normal triploid endosperm, advances to the second stage. That is, haploid seed and plants are any plant with a haploid embryo, independent of the ploidy level of the endosperm.

After selecting haploid seeds from the population, the selected seeds undergo chromosome doubling to produce doubled haploid seeds. A spontaneous chromosome doubling in a cell lineage will lead to normal gamete production or the production of unreduced gametes from haploid cell lineages. Application of a chemical compound, such as colchicine, can be used to increase the rate of diploidization. Colchicine binds to tubulin and prevents its polymerization into microtubules, thus arresting mitosis at metaphase, can be used to increase the rate of diploidization, i.e. doubling of the chromosome number These chimeric plants are self-pollinated to produce diploid (doubled haploid) seed. This DH seed is cultivated and subsequently evaluated and used in hybrid testcross production.

However, processes for producing DH seed generally suffer from low efficacy even though methods have been developed in an attempt to increase DH production frequency, including treatment with colchicine. Outstanding issues include low production of haploid seed, reduced gamete viability resulting in diminished self-pollination for DH plant generation, and inadequate DH seed yield for breeding applications.

The methods of the present disclosure represent an advance in breeding applications by facilitating the potential for selection at the haploid as well as the diploid seed stage. For example, in one embodiment, the disclosure provides for the high-throughput analysis of a population of haploid seed. The method generally comprises non-destructively removing a sample from a plurality of seeds in the population and analyzing the sample for the presence of one or more characteristics indicative of at least one genetic or chemical trait as described herein.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides for the high-throughput bulking of a population of doubled haploid seeds. The method comprises selecting one or more individual seeds exhibiting at least one preferred characteristic from a population of haploid seeds and producing a population of doubled haploid seeds from the selected seeds. Each doubled haploid seed is then non-destructively sampled and the samples are analyzed for the presence or absence of one or more characteristics indicative of at least one genetic or chemical trait. Based on the results of the analysis, one or more individual doubled haploid seeds are selected and plants or plant tissue is cultivated from the selected doubled haploid seeds.

In various embodiments, the methods of the disclosure include analyzing seed for one or more characteristics, such as genetic markers, to determine whether the seed is in a haploid or diploid state. The present disclosure also provides a methods for analyzing haploid and doubled haploid seed for one or more characteristics, such as transgenes or markers linked to or diagnostic of transgenes, for characteristics related to event performance, event evaluation, and trait integration. Further, the present disclosure provides a method to assay haploid seed in order to select preferred genotypic and phenotypic classes to undergo doubling.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a basis for determination of linkage phase. By using seed endosperm tissue derived from a diploid plant, the parental marker haplotypes can be determined using a genotyping system that enables detection of different allele frequencies in DNA samples. Since endosperm tissue is triploid, with two copies derived from the female gamete, the linkage phase of the parental line can be derived by dissecting heterozygous progeny genotypes (see FIG. 1). The DNA sample from endosperm tissue allows for a determination of the ploidy level of the genetic marker. A diploid ploidy level in the genetic marker indicates maternal inheritance and a haploid ploidy level in the genetic marker indicates paternal inheritance.

Further, differential allele frequency data can be used to infer the genetic linkage map but, unlike methods requiring haploid material (Gasbarra et al. 2006 Genetics 172:1325-1335 (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety)), using the above-described allele frequency calling. Determination of the genetic linkage map has tremendous utility in the context of haplotype characterization, mapping of marker (or haplotype)—trait associations. This method is particularly robust on a single, vs. bulked, seed basis and is thus well-suited to the present disclosure.

In a particular embodiment, the disclosure further provides an assay for predicting embryo zygosity for a particular gene of interest (GOI). The assay predicts embryo zygosity based on the ratio of the relative copy numbers of a GOI and of an internal control (IC) gene per cell or per genome. Generally, this assay uses an IC gene that is of known zygosity, e.g., homozygous at the locus (two IC copies per diploid cell), for normalizing measurement of the GOI. The ratio of the relative copy numbers of the IC to the GOI predicts the GOI copy number in the cell. In a homozygous cell, for any given gene (or unique genetic sequence), the gene copy number is equal to the cell's ploidy level since the sequence is present at the same locus in all homologous chromosomes. When a cell is heterozygous for a particular gene (or hemizygous in the case of a transgene), the gene copy number will be lower than the cell's ploidy level. If the GOI is not detected, the cell is null for the locus, as can happen for a negative segregant of a transgenic event or in a mutagenized population. The zygosity of a cell at any locus can thus be determined by the gene copy number in the cell.

In another particular embodiment, the disclosure provides an assay for predicting corn embryo zygosity. In corn seed, the endosperm tissue is triploid, whereas the embryo tissue is diploid. Endosperm copy number is reflective of the zygosity of the embryo: a homozygous (positive or negative) endosperm accompanies a homozygous embryo, heterozygous endosperm (whether a GOI copy number of 1 or 2) reflects a heterozygous (GOI copy number of 1) embryo. Endosperm that is homozygous for the IC will contain three IC copies. Endosperm GOI copy number can range from 0 (homozygous negative embryo) to 3 (homozygous positive embryo); and endosperm GOI copy number of 1 or 2 is found in seed where the embryo is heterozygous for the GOI (or hemizygous for the GOI if the GOI is a transgene). The endosperm GOI copy number (which can range from 0 to 3 copies) can be determined from the ratio of endosperm IC copy number to endosperm GOI copy number (which can range from 0/3 to 3/3, that is, from 0 to 1), which can then be used to predict zygosity of the embryo.

Copy numbers of the GOI or of the IC can be determined by any convenient assay technique for quantification of copy numbers, as is known in the art. Examples of suitable assays include, but are not limited to, Real Time (TaqMan®) PCR (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) and Invader® (Third Wave Technologies, Madison, Wis.) assays. Preferably, such assays are developed in such a way that the amplification efficiency of both the IC and GOI sequences are equal or very similar. For example, in a Real Time TaqMan® PCR assay, the signal from a single-copy GOI (the source cell is determined to be heterozygous for the GOI) will be detected one amplification cycle later than the signal from a two-copy IC, because the amount of the GOI is half that of the IC. For the same heterozygous sample, an Invader® assay would measure a GOI/IC ratio of about 1:2 or 0.5. For a sample that is homozygous for both the GOI and the IC, the GOI signal would be detected at the same time as the IC signal (TaqMan®), and the Invader assay would measure a GOI/IC ratio of about 2:2 or 1.

These guidelines apply to any polyploid cell, or to haploid cells (such as pollen cells), since the copy number of the GOI or of the IC remain proportional to the genome copy number (or ploidy level) of the cell. Thus, these zygosity assays can be performed on triploid tissues such as corn endosperm. Furthermore, the copy number for a GOI can be measured beyond 2 copies or at numerically different values than the ploidy of the cell. The method is still appropriate for detecting GOI in polyploids, in some transgenic events with >2 copies of the inserted transgene, after replication of the GOI by transposition, when the GOI exists on autonomously replicating chromosomes or plasmids and other situations.

In plant breeding, it is useful to determine zygosity at one or more loci for the purpose of evaluating the level of inbreeding (that is, the degree of gene fixation), segregation distortion (i.e., in transgenic germplasm, maternal inheritance testing or for loci that affect the fitness of gametes), and the level of outbreeding (i.e., the relative proportion of homozygosity and heterozygosity). Similarly, the extent of zygosity at one or more loci can be used to estimate hybridity and whether a particular seed lot meets a commercial or regulatory standard for sale as certified hybrid seed. In addition, in transgenic germplasm, it is useful to know the ploidy, or copy number, in order to distinguish between quality events and to aid in trait integration strategies.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a basis for improving the ability to monitor one or more germplasm pools for shifts in the frequencies of one or more genetic characteristics, wherein said genetic characteristics include markers, alleles, and haplotypes. Methodology is known in the art to compare genetic marker frequency between recently derived populations and their ancestral lines in order to identify those genetic loci that are increasing in frequency over time (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,437,697 and 5,746,023 (both incorporated by reference herein in their entirety)). Those loci with frequencies that exceed the expected allele frequency are inferred to have been subject to selection. Further, given that the predominant selection criterion in breeding programs is yield, it is expected that those increasingly frequent alleles may be linked to yield.

In a particular embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method to enable haplotype-assisted breeding. By comparing the frequency of haplotypes in emerging elite lines with the haplotype frequency in the ancestral elite lines (as determined via pedigree analysis), identification of haplotypes that are deviating from the expected haplotype frequency is possible. Further, by evaluation of haplotype effect estimates for said haplotypes, it is also possible to link said haplotypes of increasing frequency with phenotypic outcomes for a suite of agronomic traits. The haplotype composition of individual seeds sampled from a plurality of seeds can be determined using genetic markers and the seeds with preferred haplotypes are selected and advanced. Thus, more informed breeding decisions and establishment of superior line development programs is enabled by this technology.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are merely illustrative, and not limiting to this disclosure in any way.

Example 1

This example describes an assay for predicting the zygosity of corn embryos using an internal control (IC) gene homozygous at the locus (i.e., two IC copies in the diploid embryo and three IC copies in the triploid endosperm). In an inbred line of a diploid (or higher ploidy) organism such as corn, the endogenous internal control is typically homozygous; transgenic events in such organisms at the first generation (termed “R0” in corn) are typically hemizygous (that is, the transgene is typically present in only one of the two or more homologous chromosomes). Corn (Zea mays) is a diploid organism, thus a “single copy” R0 event has one copy of the GOI per cell, but 0.5 copies per haploid genome, a “two copy” R0 event has two copies of the GOI per cell, but 1 copy per haploid genome, and so forth.

In this example, tubulin was used as the IC gene, and the GOI was a transgene encoding neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II), which is used for kanamycin resistance selection. Endosperm (triploid) tissue was taken from seed (either by hand sampling or by scraping a seed with an automated sampler of the present disclosure). The endosperm-sampled seed was germinated, and leaf tissue (diploid) from successfully germinated plants was also sampled for genetic analysis. The leaf tissue correlates directly with embryo zygosity and was thus used to demonstrate that endosperm zygosity generally predicted zygosity of the embryo and to confirm homozygosity calls from the endosperm. Total genomic DNA was extracted from endosperm tissue and from leaf tissue, and quantitatively analyzed using an Invader® assay with oligonucleotide probes specific for the gene of interest, NPT II, or for the internal control gene, tubulin. The ratio of the GOI to IC was measured using conventional molecular biology techniques. See Table 1. A summary of results of multiple experiments are shown in Table 2.

Results indicated that endosperm zygosity generally predicted zygosity of the embryo (as indicated by the leaf zygosity) and was reliable in predicting homozygosity for all seeds that germinated. Furthermore, endosperm zygosity analysis gave few false-negative homozygous predictions (especially when the endosperm tissue was obtained with the automated sampler). These results demonstrate that for a cell of a known ploidy level, the ratio of copy number of a GOI to that of an IC indicates the zygosity of that cell. Furthermore, the zygosity assay of the present disclosure can predict zygosity of one tissue based on the zygosity of another, that is, the assay can predict the embryo zygosity based on the endosperm zygosity.

TABLE 1 Automated Manual Ratio Automated Zygosity Ratio Manual Zygosity 1.39 Heterozygous 1.42 Heterozygous 0.14 neg homozygous 0.12 neg homozygous 0.08 neg homozygous 0.08 neg homozygous 0.13 neg homozygous 0.10 neg homozygous 0.10 neg homozygous 0.08 neg homozygous 1.55 Heterozygous 1.38 Heterozygous 0.84 Heterozygous 1.45 Heterozygous 0.14 neg homozygous 1.48 Heterozygous 1.48 Heterozygous 1.37 Heterozygous 1.39 Heterozygous 1.47 Heterozygous 2.03 POS homozygous 1.93 POS homozygous 0.13 neg homozygous 0.05 neg homozygous 1.71 Inconclusive 1.81 POS homozygous 0.81 Heterozygous 1.41 Heterozygous 1.84 POS homozygous 1.77 POS homozygous 1.54 Heterozygous 1.43 Heterozygous 1.48 Heterozygous 1.50 Heterozygous 0.92 Heterozygous 1.40 Heterozygous 1.51 Heterozygous 1.42 Heterozygous 1.60 Heterozygous 1.37 Heterozygous 0.86 Heterozygous 1.47 Heterozygous 1.81 POS homozygous 2.02 POS homozygous 0.15 neg homozygous Low DNA 1.89 POS homozygous 1.85 POS homozygous 0.21 neg homozygous 0.10 neg homozygous 0.09 neg homozygous 0.11 neg homozygous 0.89 Heterozygous 1.50 Heterozygous 1.50 Heterozygous 1.37 Heterozygous 1.82 Inconclusive 2.02 POS homozygous 2.14 POS homozygous 0.99 inconclusive 1.22 Heterozygous 1.44 Heterozygous 2.22 POS homozygous 2.24 POS homozygous 0.79 Heterozygous 1.40 Heterozygous 1.23 Heterozygous 1.47 Heterozygous 1.49 Heterozygous 1.38 Heterozygous 1.33 Heterozygous 1.37 Heterozygous

TABLE 2 Number of Number of Number of Number of homozygous predicted confirmed false negative seeds homozygous homozygous homozygous Endosperm identified by seeds that calls based calls based on sampling endosperm did not on leaf endosperm method analysis germinate analysis analysis Hand 8 out of 36 0 8 (all) 5 (13.9%) Automated 6 out of 24 1 5 0 Hand 6 out of 36 0 6 (all) 2 (5.6%) Automated 6 out of 24 1 5 0 Hand 5 out of 36 0 5 (all) 7 (19.4%) Automated 7 out of 24 2 5 0 Hand 7 out of 36 1 6 0 Automated 5 out of 24 2 3 0

Example 2

This example demonstrates the use of the methods of the present disclosure in a program for marker-assisted selection of soybeans for Low Linolenic Acid.

Soybean is the most valuable legume crop, with many nutritional and industrial uses due to its unique chemical composition. Soybean seeds are an important source of vegetable oil, which is used in food products throughout the world. The relatively high level (usually about 8%) of linolenic acid (18:3) in soybean oil reduces its stability and flavor. Hydrogenation of soybean oil is used to lower the level of linolenic acid (18:3) and improve both stability and flavor of soybean oils. However, hydrogenation results in the production of trans fatty acids, which increases the risk for coronary heart disease when consumed. The development of low linolenic acid soybean has been complicated by the quantitative nature of the trait. The low linolenic acid soybean varieties that have been developed have been found to yield poorly, limiting their usefulness in most commercial settings. Developing a product with commercially significance seed yield is a high priority in most soybean cultivar development programs.

An example of the application of the methods of the present disclosure is selection of soybean plants with both high yield and decreased linolenic acid content. Soybean progeny performance as it relates to low linolenic acid relies mainly on two major quantitative trait locus (QTL) at Fad3-1b and Fad3-1c. Analysis of segregating plants demonstrated that Fad3-1b and Fad3-1c additively control linolenic content in soybean. Therefore, by using a combination of markers for Fad3-1b and Fad3-1c, a breeder using the disclosure can accurately predict linolenic acid content in soybean plants. The markers can be used to infer the genotypic state of a seed at any stage in the breeding process, for example, at the finished inbred line stage, or the F₁, F₂, F₃, etc.

A seminal F₁ hybrid can be produced by crossing two inbred soybean lines (for example, crossing a plant containing the Fad3-1b and/or Fad3-1c alleles associated with decreased linolenic acid content to a plant lacking these alleles) followed by natural self-pollination. Since the markers can be used to infer the genotypic state of a single seed obtained from an intermating of such inbred lines, early generation (i.e., F₂) marker-assisted breeding can be conducted.

Soybean seed at ambient temperature and humidity typically equilibrate to 8% moisture on a dry weight basis. Soybean seed at this level of moisture tends to split when sampled. To reduce splitting, seed should be humidified to moisture level of 12%. When pretreated in this manner, splitting is significantly reduced to <5%.

The selected F₂ seed that have the desired genotype may be bulked or kept separate depending on the breeding objectives. If multiple QTL with varying effects were being selected from a given population, the breeder could preserve single seed identity to differentiate individuals with various combinations of the target resistance QTL. These seeds could be planted in the field with appropriate field identification. Several methods of preserving single seed identity can be used while transferring seed from the sampling lab to the field. Methods include transferring selected individuals to horticultural seed tape that could also include radio frequency identification to aid in the identification of the individual genotyped seed. Other methods would be to use an indexing tray, plant seeds in peat pots and then transplant them, or hand plant from individual seed packets.

Example 3

This example demonstrates the use of the methods of the present disclosure in a program for selection of recurrent parent alleles in a backcross breeding program.

The methods of the present disclosure can be used for selection of transgenes as well as identification of recurrent parent alleles. The identification of genotypes with desired recurrent parent allele frequencies before planting allows the number of rows per population to be reduced throughout the entire breeding program along with an increase in the number of populations included in the conversion program within a given field unit. This results in improved land usage, reduced land and labor costs, etc.

An example of analyzing endosperm tissue from corn for recurrent parent alleles in a backcross breeding program is shown in FIG. 1.

Example 4

This example demonstrates the use of the methods of the present disclosure for use in DNA line fingerprinting and linkage phase determination.

Combined with bulking of a single seed's DNA, line fingerprinting could be accomplished without the need to sample the line in the field.

By using seed endosperm tissue (seed coat in soybean) derived from a diploid plant, the parental marker haplotypes can be determined using a genotyping system that enables detection of different allele frequencies in DNA samples. Since endosperm tissue is triploid, with two copies derived from the female gamete, the linkage phase of the parental line can be derived by dissecting heterozygous progeny genotypes. The DNA sample from endosperm tissue allows for a determination of the ploidy level of the genetic marker. A diploid ploidy level in the genetic marker indicates maternal inheritance and a haploid ploidy level in the genetic marker indicates paternal inheritance.

Example 5

This example demonstrates the methods of the present disclosure for evaluating transgenic seed for segregation distortion. Seeds of an F1 cross between Line A (Homozygous Event 1 and Event 2) and Line B (Homozygous Event 1) were induced in a maternal haploid induction isolation. The resulting kernels were selected using plumule color to obtain a population of putative haploid seed.

Individual putative haploid kernels from the population of putative haploid seed were selected and non-destructively sampled using an automated seed sampler system as generally described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,435 (Publication No. US 2006/004624 (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety)), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Markers were applied to the samples to determine the presence of the Event 2 gene and the Event 1 gene. The sampling process clips off some pericarp and endosperm tissue and uses this as the base for analysis. It is important to note that endosperm tissue is triploid and contains genetic contribution from both parents. If the gene of interest is detected using this method, it accurately predicts the presence of the desired gene in the haploid embryo. For the purposes of this study, samples from 180 kernels were analyzed and data were obtained on 175 due to sampling issues.

As shown in Table 3 below, each of the seed samples tested positive for the Event 1 gene as expected and approximately 50% of the seed samples tested positive for the Event 2 gene, confirming no segregation distortion.

TABLE 3 Event 2 Event 1 Pedigree Chromosome 6 8 Position 38 63 Parental Checks Line A Pos Pos Line B Neg Pos KHI1 Neg Neg Selected Kernels 175 175 Total Positive 92/175 175/175 Total Negative 83/175  0/175

Results of this study indicate that individual gene traits can be selected on a haploid basis using high throughput, nondestructive seed sampling as a screening mechanism.

Example 6

This example demonstrates the utility of automated, high-throughput sampling in the preselection of haploid seed from a population of seeds.

The experiment comprised sampling 20 F2 populations using a nondestructive, high throughput seed sampling system and analyzing the samples to verify the pre-selection of haploid seed. Each population of F2 seed was nondestructively sampled or the F2 plants were tissue sampled for DNA analysis. The nondestructive seed samples were collected from individual seeds in the population of seeds using an automated seed sampler system as generally described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,435 (Publication No. US 2006/004624 (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety)), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Selection of desirable genotypes was based on selecting materials with the greatest allelic frequencies of the desired haplotypes based on modeling parameters. The selected F2 plants were pollinated with haploid inducing male pollinators and the resulting seed is harvested. Following harvest, haploid kernels were sorted out from the non-haploid seed and the haploids were sampled on a kernel basis using nondestructive, high throughput sampling and subsequent genotyping. The preferred haploid seed was selected and subjected to a chromosome doubling procedure to produce doubled haploids. This approach allows non-preferred genotypes to be culled before doubling and increases the frequency of preferred material that is processed through the resource intensive doubling process.

Results comparing the selected haploid seed and illustrating the efficacy of this approach are shown in FIG. 2.

Example 7

This example illustrates sampling of transgenic seeds by the apparatus and method of the present disclosure and further testing of the sample for the presence or absence of a transgene or testing of zygosity (number of transgene) in the seed in a high throughput manner utilizing a 384-well plate and robotics. Not only did the automation provide cost savings on material, labor, and time, but it also improved consistency of DNA yield and accuracy of the assay. The seeds were tested for a gene of interest, e.g., a transgene for a trait and selected for further product development quickly. This also eliminated the need to grow out plants from seeds in green houses and/or field plots for testing, thereby further reducing the cost of product development.

Transgenic soybean seeds were produced by methods disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,011, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,834, U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,877, U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,451, U.S. Pat. No. 6,384,301, U.S. Pat. No. 7,002,058, and/or US 2005/0005321 (each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). Soybean embryos were transformed with pMON 70900 comprising a CP4 gene under the control of an FMV.35S promoter. The CP4 gene confers tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate.

Seeds were humidified for at least four days at about 20-24° C. and about 65% relative humidity. The seeds were then transferred to an automated sampling system, for example as described in US 2006/004624 or US 2007/0207485 (both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety), wherein the sample trays consisted of a 384-well microtiter plates. Prior to sampling the seeds, about 20 μl of about 20% SDS was added to each well of the 384-well sample tray using a WellMate liquid dispenser system (Thermo Fisher Scientific, NH, USA). As the seeds were sampled by the automated sampling system, removed tissue samples from each of the seeds was deposited in individual wells of the 384-well sample tray. Two beads (Precision Ball Bearing) were added to each well and the sample trays were capped with a mat using the Matrix Super Sealer. The sealed trays were shaken and then placed in a freezer at about −80° C. until used for DNA extraction.

DNA was extracted by the reagents described in the method of DellaPorta et al. (Plant Mol. Biology Reporter, 1:19-21, 1983). About 380 μl of warm SDS-extraction buffer was added to each well of the seed plate and the plate was incubated at about 65±5° C. for about 45-60 minutes. About 135 μl of 5M Potassium Acetate was added to each well using the WellMate. Addition of solutions and incubation were done by an automated integrated system including BenchCel (Velocity 11, CA, USA), FlexDrop (PerkinElmer, Mass., USA), and an incubator (Liconic, Mass., USA).

The plates were sealed with the mats and solutions were mixed with the tissue in a shaker for about 1 minute. The plates were centrifuged at about 3848 ref for about 15 minutes. About 100 μl of the supernatant was transferred to a corresponding well in a quadrant of a 384-Filter Plate on a 384-collection extraction box (Corning, Mass., USA) with isopropanol with PlateMate Plus (Thermo Fisher Scientific, NH, USA). Each plate was centrifuged at about 5026.5 ref for about 20 minutes. Isopropanol supernatant mixture from each well was removed, about 65 μl of ethanol added, and each plate was centrifuged for about 3 min at about 1000 g. Leftover ethanol was aspirated and then the DNA pellet was dried for about 3 min. Finally the pellet was resuspended in about 85 μl of water. Addition and removal of reagents, centrifugation, and drying of the pellet were done in an automated integrated system including BenchCel, Bravo, and V-spin (all by Velocity 11, CA, USA). The plates were sealed with PlateLoc (Velocity 11, CA, USA) and stored from about 2° C. to about −20° C. until further analysis.

About 3 μL of DNA was added to each well of a 384-well plate for determining zygosity of the seed for CP4 (homozygote, heterozygote, and null) using the Invader kit (ThirdWave Technologies, Madison, Wis.). The population of seeds showed a segregation of about 1:2:1 in a cross of two heterozygote soybean plants.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. 

1. A high-throughput method for analyzing individual seeds in a population of seeds, the method comprising: removing a tissue sample from at least one or more seeds in a population of seeds while preserving germination viability of the at least one or more seeds from which the tissue sample is removed; depositing the tissue sample into an individual compartment of a sample tray; contacting the tissue sample with an extraction buffer to remove DNA from the tissue sample; and analyzing the extracted DNA for the presence or absence of a transgene of interest.
 2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the extraction buffer is present in the individual compartment of the sample tray before depositing the tissue sample into the individual compartment of the sample tray.
 3. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising adding the extraction buffer to at least one or more compartments of the sample tray before depositing the tissue sample into an individual compartment of the sample tray.
 4. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein depositing the tissue sample into a compartment of the sample tray includes depositing the tissue sample into a compartment of the sample tray having extraction buffer within said compartment for contacting the tissue sample.
 5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sample tray comprises a 384-well microtiter plate.
 6. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising generally sealing said compartment of the sample tray after the tissue sample is deposited in said compartment and storing the tissue sample prior to analyzing the extracted DNA.
 7. The method as set forth in claim 6, wherein storing the tissue sample includes cooling the tissue sample to at least about −80 degrees Celsius.
 8. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising selecting at least one or more individual seeds from the population of seeds based on the results of the analysis; and cultivating at least one or more plants from the at least one or more selected seeds.
 9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the population of seeds includes seeds selected from the group consisting of alfalfa seed, apple seed, banana seed, barley seed, bean seed, broccoli seed, cabbage seed, carrot seed, cauliflower seed, celery seed, castor bean seed, citrus seed, clover seed, coconut seed, coffee seed, maize seed, cotton seed, cucumber seed, Douglas fir seed, eggplant seed, Eucalyptus seed, Loblolly pine seed, linseed seed, lettuce seed, melon seed, millet seed, oat seed, olive seed, palm seed, pea seed, peanut seed, pepper seed, poplar seed, pumpkin seed, Radiata pine seed, radish seed, rapeseed seed, rice seed, rye seed, spinach seed, sorghum seed, Southern pine seed, soybean seed, squash seed, strawberry seed, sugarbeet seed, sugarcane seed, sunflower seed, sweetgum seed, switchgrass seed, tea seed, tobacco seed, tomato seed, triticale seed, turf seed, watermelon seed, wheat seed, and Arabidopsis thaliana seed.
 10. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein removing the tissue sample from at least one or more seeds in a population of seeds and depositing the tissue sample into an individual compartment of a sample tray are done by an automated seed sampler system.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing a tissue sample from each seed in a population of seeds and depositing each tissue sample into an individual compartment of a sample tray having an extraction buffer present therein using an automated system; and analyzing the extracted DNA from each tissue sample for the presence or absence of a transgene of interest. 